3804. Ethylenimine

Nomenclature

CAS number: 151-56-4
Aziridine; azacyclopropane; dimethylenimine.
C2H5N; mol wt 43.07.
C 55.77%, H 11.70%, N 32.52%.

Description and references

Prepd by treating 2-chloroethylamine hydrochloride with NaOH: Wystrach et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 77, 5915 (1955); 78, 1263 (1956); from β-aminoethylsulfuric acid by reaction with NaOH: Allen et al., Org. Synth. coll. vol. IV, 433 (1963). Acute toxicity: H. F. Smyth et al., J. Ind. Hyg. Toxicol. 23, 259 (1941). Toxicology: Weightman, Hoyle, J. Am. Med. Assoc. 189, 543 (1964). Review of carcinogenicity studies: IARC Monographs 9, 37 (1975).

Chemical structure

Properties

Liquid. Intense odor of ammonia. Poisonous. Handle in hood only. Strongly alkaline. Polymerizes easily. d424 0.8321. mp -73.96°. bp760 56-57°. nD25 1.412. Vapor press. (20°) 160 mm Hg. Miscible with water. Sol in alc. Can be stored for some time over a few pellets of sodium hydroxide. LD50 orally in rats: 15 mg/kg (Smyth).

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are nausea, vomiting; headache, dizziness; pulmonary edema; liver and kidney damage; eye burns; skin sensitization; irritation of eyes, skin, nose and throat. Potential occupational carcinogen. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 138.

Use

In the manuf of triethylenemelamine.